The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-06-04

tall, fashionable-loo man, whose back
was toward me. Concluding it was her
fdRce, did not like to interrupt her con-
versation, but looked at him with natural
interest. Presently he changed his attitude.
Amazementl Did my eyes deceive me ?
No. Before me was the very man I had
only the preceding day followed to Ongar-
my mysterious visitor of the Rue Ste. Mar
guerite This man under the roof of Lord
Hartbury lie, Colonel Gonzales, distin-
guished for his bravery and wealth |
could not be mistaken; he had dyed his
hair black and shaved off the struggling
sandy beard, but his furtive light eyes l
could swear to. l felt l wanted air, and
again made for the door. "Will you point
out to me which is Colonel Gonzales ?" 1
said to a footman entering with ices.
''That dark gentleman talking to Lady
Augusta, sir.
| waited with curiosity to see if he would
take an ice. No; the salver passed him,
but he took wafer with his left hand.
The right one in its white glove hung at
his side. | left the house. By daybreak
I had determined what to do-to warn
Lord Hartbury. The first stepw was to send
telegram to jacob, who was now assist
ant house surgeon at the hospital, telling
him to come over Immediately on urgent
business, and to bring with him the cast of
his first patient hand Then at II o'clock
1 called on Lord Hartbury, asking for a
private interview. Vans were before the
door, removing the paraphernalia of last
nights ball. The Earl came to me from
the breakfast table, looking a little sur
prised. 1t was delicate subject to broach,
but | told him the whole story. He did
not see the drift of it until | came to the
part of identifying Colonel Gonzales as my
mysterious visitor. Then never did man
look more astounded; but he thought it a
decided case of mistaken identity; he said
it was impossible. 1t was well known that
his hand had been blown off at the siege Of
Lima; it was a coincidence.
''Not so, my lord" cried. 81 can
prove to the contrary"
Never was man so hard to persuade, but
it ended in his consenting TO put the Col
onel to the proof in manner we arranged.
Late at night jacob arrived.
"Per cOrpo di Bdcco, my curiosity is
great Why hast thou summoned me in
such haste? The cast is here" tapping
his valise. II waited for nothing threw
a little wearing apparel together and started
half an hour after receiving your telegram. )"
When he had eaten good supper l told
him the particulars. To say he was aston
ished is superhuous.
The following morning we went to Port
land Place, jacob carrying a little neat
parcel. Lord Hartbury had taken his
eldest son into his confidence, who was
more incredulous even than his father; but
when jacob related in sufficiently good
English his account of the operation he
had performed two years previously they
began to be little shaken in their incre-
dulity. We all four drove across Hyde
Park to South Kensington. Arrived at
an elegant house, with choice flowers at all
the windows and balconies, we were ush-
cred into charming morning room over
looking pleasure garden.
'Thou must be mistaken, mio Secre-
tano," whispered jacob, upon whom the
marble entrance hall, its luxurious appur-
tenances and liveried servants had made a
great impression. 1t certainly dill appear
incredible.
| and jacob stationed ourselves in the
shadow between the windows; the two
noblemen stood in the sunlight. Presently
the Colonel entered, shaking hands with
them in an easy manner. He wore rich
crimson silk robe de chdnibre. With his
black hair and pale complexion he GER
tainly looked picture-like. The loose cuff
of his right arm was looped up to his vest.
He glanced inquiringly toward jacob and
me.
'These gentlemen tell me they already
enjoy the privilege of your acquaintance,
Colonel" said Lord Hartbury.
eyes" in Paris" cried jacob, starting
forward and placing the cast of his hand
Immediately before him with the quickness
of lightning. This little memento will
remind"
Words cannot describe the effect of the
announcement; trust never again to see a
fellow-creature receive such mental shock.
He pushed back the cast with his left
hand, its fellow, its counterpart-even in
whiteness. He tried to speak, but failed;
he staggered to chair and sat down,
great drops of agony on his pallid fore
head
"Take that horrid thing away" he gasp
ed in a low, hoarse voice, struggling hard
to rally, the father and son looking at him
in dismay. Excuse me" he continued,
'but in warfare I have gone through such
horrors that frightful object suddenly
presented to me-has-has-startled me. "
ut is the cast of your own right hand,
amputated by me two years ago last No
vember; it was a perfect hand UNNAMED.
You came to me in the evening. My name
is jacob"
"You lie"
'Philip Secretan, step forward" said
Lord Hartbury,
I obeyed, and our eyes meeting, | saw
that he recognized me. "Both these gen.
tlemen," continued the Earl, ''swear to
having known you in Paris under strange
circumstances. What are we to conclude?
Philip Secretan I have known from his
boyhood; he is truthful as one my own
sons. Why are you so agitated?"
"This would agitate any man of honorp'
cried the soi-disqnt Colonel, suddenly
springing to his feet, ''to be insulted so in
famously-though Of what you suspect me
heaven knows 1 will fetch you ample
proof that was in Lima the very month
you mention"
"By your leave, we will accompany
you" said Lord Darcy, coolly.
"Only yourself and Lord Hartbury, if
you please As you will soon be such near
relations, of course +"
sColonel Gonzales, do not mention that
subject at present, " interrupted the Earl,
who, with his son, followed the Colonel
from the room up the richly carpeted stair
case.
aThis is my dressing-room-wil you
kindly wait here? The papers are in my